WINNO'S WINNERS: GRAFTON, JUNE 28, 2020
By Darren Winningham | Sunday, June 28, 2020
GRAFTON RACES – SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2020
Well the stage is set. The track is ready and here comes DAY ONE of the 2020 Grafton Carnival with the traditional “WESTLAWN” sponsored day – traditionally where you don gold and black clothes (the sponsors colours). It features the John Carlton Cup – a race which can be a great form guide for the Ramornie in ten days’ time - and the Grafton Cup Prelude where some horses can go onto run well in the Grafton Cup.
Look I may be biased as I have been coming to this Carnival for over thirty – YES 30 years – but this is one of Australia’s best country racing Carnivals.
The track seems to have been unfortunately downgraded to a “soft” after some recent rain in the area over the past week. I can only hope that it gets some sun over the coming days and we get a slight upgrade. The rail will be out 4.5 metres this weekend to protect that inside area for Carnival week.
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Race 1
A tough way to open the Carnival with a two-year-old race with not much form disclosed.
There has been serious money early for Murungal (7) from the Con Karakatsanis yard who always brings a big competitive team to this Carnival. The other is Rise N Shine from the Tracey Bartley yards.
Selections:
6 – Latin Dayz
7 – Murungal
8 – Rise N Shine
2 – Bay of Bengal
Race 2
A maiden over the mile.
Sethlans (5) from the Allan Denham stables looks to have some solid recent form to hold him in good consideration here. He drops from Class 1 back to a maiden race and will be ridden by the 2019 CRJC Jockey of the Carnival Matthew McGuren.
Miss Clambake (8), again from the Con Karakatsanis stables, has been sensationally backed from $5 to $2.80 since the markets were posted.
Selections:
5 – Sethlans
7 – Gerwig
8 – Miss Clambake
11 – Trieste
Race 3
The Grafton Guineas prelude race – this is always a good site for the race in 10 days’ time.
Hyperion Star is trained on the track by Dwayne Schmidt. He is looking to post consecutive wins at his home track and distance after a brilliant effort on a heavy track last start.
Group Think (2) is trained by Edward O’Rourke at Murwillumbah. He won first up at Ballina in class 1 over 1590 metres on a soft track – he was impressive in that win and has had three weeks between runs.
I have a big watch of the Tony Newing trained Camp Rifle (1) who has trialled well recently at Gosford for his new stable and despite the weight looks well placed.
There are some real rough chances at the bottom of the field that get in well and could cause an upset – Electric Miss (10) trained by Sharon Pepper and to be ridden by Kirk Matheson and Prince of Troy (11) trained by Colt Prosser and to be ridden by Belinda Hodder coming off a solid run at Quirindi.
Selections:
4 – Hyperion Star
2 – Group Think
1 – Camp Rifle
11 – Prince of Troy
Rough chance (10) Electric Miss
Race 4
It looks like a tough way to start the Quaddie with many chances here.
The Brett Cavanough trained Eiger (2) was impressive over the Carnival in 2019 and returns to a track where he races well. Rory Hutchings has the ride – look for him to sit off the speed and surge to the line late.
Fiora (4) is a Tony Newing runner from Gosford. Clearly, they have targeted the 2020 Carnival as they did last year with several winners from their stables. This runner made the trip up early and won here at Class 3 level. A jockey has not been booked – but with the scratchings now I think you may find Matthew McGuren will take the ride – he won on this gelding last start. This runner has been sensationally backed since the scratchings have been finalised today.
Some nice roughies here as well who could pop up at a huge price.
Moonhawk (11) is trained by Paul Smith and Ray Spokes will ride. He has won all his career wins here at the Grafton track – this is normally a good lead to their chances.
Just Sizzling (17) is trained by Ron Godbolt and has a solid record here.
Selections:
2 – Eiger
4 - Fiore
11 – Moonhwak
17 – Just Sizzling
Rough chances (1) Wander
Race 5
A Class 1 over 1215 metres here. Another tough field here.
Not a fan of this race.
Ben Looker and local trainer John Shelton unite with Special Union (4). He won his maiden here back in January and then raced at Taree and just did not go a yard. He has had a month off to freshen up and has the application of blinkers for this run. At $14 on offer have something each way – this trainer has a wonderful record here over the Carnival.
Sylvia’s Memory (5) is trained at Port Macquarie by Marc Quinn and is third up. She loves to set the pace but just keeps being run down late in the shadows of the post.
Money Heist (6) is the favourite for the race - trained by Jenny Graham and to be ridden by Kirk Matheson. This is her first start for the new stable. She recently trialled well at Taree. There has been some good money for this runner. They clearly expect her to run a bold race first up.
Selections:
4 – Special Union
5 – Sylvia’s Memory
6 – Money Heist
10 – Crime Wave
Rough chance (2) Divine Approach
Race 6 John Carlton Cup 2020
This is one of the feature races over the Carnival and horses that have run well here have gone onto do well in the Ramornie.
Exclusive (8) is the horse I have gone for here at around $6. This runner is trained by Stephen Bennett and comes off a powerful win at Casino last start over 1400 metres. I think with the slow track and the shorter distance this will be right up his alley. He loves the speed on and there looks to be good tempo in the race. Look for him to get midfield and make a move late – I expect Kirk Matheson will navigate a wide pathway in the straight to storm home.
Sedition (5) is trained in Sydney by Ricard Litt. He is third up after racing on some very heavy tracks since resuming in both of his starts. He looks like he is ready to strike form this weekend and has the benefit of a firmer track to run on which will assist him immensely. Lee Maggorian makes the trip north to Grafton to partner this five-year-old gelding.
Do not overlook the Brett Cavanough runner Syd’s Footprints (13) who has been racing will around the Muswellbrook area. He is resuming here in this race – but a recent trial would suggest that he is well prepared and wound up to be a threat in this race. Luke “Sausage” Rolls has the ride.
Vacate (15) won here last start leading all the way and holding the opposition at bay with a powerful performance. Brett Dodson has booked McGuren to ride his gelding – he is a definite knock out chance here despite going up in class for this feature race.
It is a tough race in 2020 but this race has a solid history moving forward to the Ramornie that is run on the Wednesday of the two-day main feature of the Carnival.
Selections:
8 – Exclusive
5 – Sedition
15 – Vacate
13 – Syd’s Footrprints
Rough chance (3) Tarbert (11) Defeat
Race 7 – Grafton Cup Quality Prelude 2020
A good quality staying race to finish off the day with some of these heading to the Grafton Cup.
Penshurst (2) trained by Matthew Dunn has been sensationally backed into $2.40 after opening around $3. His last start winning effort here at the distance looked a good lead into this race. He was sent out at prohibitive odds last start at $1.45, winning the race arrogantly. He looks a solid chance to end the day.
Nemingah (10) is an Edward O’Rourke runner who has been racing well in South-East Queensland with some solid, consistent efforts. He is a genuine chance here to upset the favourite getting some weight relief and local jockey Ben Looker aboard to ride the lightly raced four-year-old gelding.
Ethan Ensby has three runners in the race. I like the chances of Lady Grande to be ridden by Kyle Wilson-Taylor. I do not know much about this kid other than he commenced riding in 2018 and has ridden 31 career winners. Anyway, this runner races on the speed and has drawn well to take up the running. If he gets his own way in front and Kyle can rate him well, he could cause an upset in this last race. He has had 6 starts at Grafton for 2 wins and 3 placings!
Selections:
2 – Penshurst
10 – Nemingah
12 – Lady Grande
4 – Polemic
Rough chance (13) Our Girl Babs
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Jockey’s Challenge
Ben Looker and Matthew McGuren have some nice rides. I think I will go for Matt to win Day 1.
Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4 NSW only)
6,7,8 / 5,7,8 / 1,2,4 /2,4,11,17 - cost is $108 to $1
Quaddie (races 4 to 7)
2,4,11,17 / 4,5,6 / 5,8,15 / 2,10,12 - cost is $108 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 4 to 7)
2,4 / 4,5,6 / 5,8 / 2,10 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (races 5 to 7)
4,5,6 / 5,8,15 / 2,10,12 - cost is $27 to $1
BIG 6 (NSW only races 2 to 7)
5,7 / 2,4 / 2,4 / 4,5,6 / 5,8,15 /2,10 - cost is $144 to $1
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